Legendary music journalist Malcolm Dome has done an in-depth interview with ICED EARTH's mastermind Jon Schaffer during his stay in London, giving you a personal insight into the band's current status...

Iced Earth: Chooses new vocalist , announces European leg of massive world tour!

In the wake of vocalist Matt Barlow’s retirement, dozens of demos and resumes flooded Iced Earth’s management team. But one name kept popping up – Into Eternity vocalist Stu Block, who has been named the new lead singer for Iced Earth.

According to Schaffer, Robert Kampf, CEO of Century Media, early on suggested Block, whose band Into Eternity was previously on the CM label. That reminded Schaffer of one night in September, 2008, when Into Eternity opened for Iced Earth.

“Iced Earth was backstage waiting to go on,” said Schaffer. “We heard one of Stu’s incredible wails. I remember turning to Matt and saying, ‘Damn, that dude has serious range.’” So while Iced Earth’s management team sifted through the growing number of prospective vocalists, Schaffer got in touch with Block.

After several phone conversations with the then-prospective Iced Earth vocalist, Schaffer asked his manager to e-mail Block several key Iced Earth songs, with the vocals stripped. Block went into his studio and recorded himself singing, then sent the files back to the team. The result landed Block an intense two days at Schaffer’s studio where the two musicians hit it off.

“I felt a lot of chemistry between us, we knocked out a couple of great original pieces of music in no time” said Schaffer. “He’s very good at coming up with catchy melodies, and will help with lyrical duties as well. There’s no doubt Stu has an amazing vocal range and a lot of energy, but he also has the touring experience, which is a big plus for our plans of performing in all corners of the world.”

In addition, Schaffer said Block has what Iced Earth needs in a front man: “stage presence that includes high energy, passion, and focused rage.”

“Stu is charismatic and understands the depth and varying emotions in Iced Earth’s music,” said Schaffer. “So he will embody not only the emotion of our songs, but he will be able to perform them in a dynamic way. I believe fans are in for some incredible records and live shows in the coming years.”

New Iced Earth vocalist Stu Block concurs: “Iced Earth fans are wonderful, wonderful people,” he said. “The music is so passionate. So they’re passionate, and very loyal to the band. I am, too. I’m a huge fan of Iced Earth myself. So I share that same passion, and I will show it on stage. I think the fans are really going to dig it.” Block continues: “It’s a huge honor to be doing this, to be part of this team,” he said. “It’s a dream come true, for sure.”

Schaffer is totally stoked. “This is a new beginning,” he said. “It’s game-on time. Iced Earth is going to record and tour like it never has before. The band is really amped-up and ready to hit the ground running in November.” And to prove it, Iced Earth has released the European leg of a world tour that will take the band to countries it has never previously played. All told, the 2011-2012 Iced Earth world tour will be the largest the band has undertaken since its inception.

For all of these dates, Iced Earth will be offering a very limited number of fans the opportunity to attend the show as the band’s guest VIPs. Fans who purchase a VIP package from www.icedearth.com will receive the following:

The VIP packages are very limited and available on a first-come/first-served basis via the Iced Earth website.

VIP package sales via www.icedearth.com will be available starting March 21. Regular tickets sales via all outlets will begin on March 21 and will be subject to local service fees. To learn more about the tour and how to purchase the VIP package and tickets for the shows below, visit the official Iced Earth website at www.icedearth.com. Additional dates will be announced on the official Iced Earth web site, as well as on all official social media.

The band recently announced a new summer festival date: Dong Open Air in Neukirchen-Vluyn, Germany, on July 15th. With the Dong Open Air date confirmed, Iced Earth will play a total of six summer festivals, including: Wacken, Graspop, Rock am Härtsfeldsee, Ilosaarirock Festival in Joensuu, Finland on July 16th, and the Sweden Rock Festival on June 10th in Sölvesborg, Sweden.

NOTE: Retired Iced Earth vocalist Matt Barlow will perform with the band on all summer festival dates. New vocalist Stu Block will take over from there, starting with the European leg of Iced Earth’s world tour.

The band’s long-awaited 6-hour, three-concert live DVD Festivals of the Wicked is scheduled for release this spring.